Erdoğan threatens Turkey's main opposition party leader over 'justice march'

Erdoğan said his actions were "damaging" for the country and appeared to warn Kılıçdaroğlu he could even face legal troubles
Sunday, 18 June 2017 15:43

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday threatened the leader of the main opposition party against making a planned protest march from Ankara to İstanbul, telling him "don't be surprised if legal proceedings were opened."

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu called the march after CHP lawmaker Enis Berberoğlu was sentenced to 25 years in jail for leaking Turkish government's arms-smuggling to jihadists in Syria.

He is now on the fourth day of a trek that is expected to take almost a month.

But Erdoğan said his actions were "damaging" for the country and appeared to warn Kılıçdaroğlu he could even face legal troubles. 

"How can we expect justice from the judiciary if they are in such pressure," Erdoğan said, adding that carrying "justice" banners will not bring justice.

"Calling people out onto the street is neither good for them or for the country. Wandering around with a justice placard in your hand is not going to bring justice. If you are looking for justice, then the place in Turkey to find justice is the parliament," Erdoğan said speaking at the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) general session.

"If the judicial authorities invite you in somewhere tomorrow then don't be surprised," he added.